Kate Bastians, Wentworth Courier
THE community is divided over a proposal to introduce a shared walking and cycling path on New South Head Rd between William St in Double Bay and Norwich Rd in Rose Bay.
Public feedback is being sought until next Tuesday on the proposal which Woollahra Council said was aimed at improving safety for cyclists after a fatal crash in 2015.
But local resident Sam Goldman believes it will be dangerous to mix cyclists with pedestrians on the busy Rose Bay promenade.
“Mixing cyclists travelling at 30 or 40km/h on their way to work with elderly people, schoolchildren, wheelchairs, prams and people with dogs is an accident waiting to happen,” Mr Goldman said. He added that the council had done a “poor” job of advertising the proposal.
“They placed A4 sized notices on poles which look like missing dog notices,” he said. “Less than 5 per cent of the people I have spoken to know about it.”
Investigations into the cycle path began after father-of-four Henri Sueke, 36, was killed while riding to work along New South Head Rd in Rose Bay in May 2015.
A council spokeswoman said they had received 50 submissions from the public, including “a lot of people” in support because it would enable them to cycle instead of drive to work.
A similar number had opposed the plan due to potential clashes between cyclists and pedestrians.
Feedback will be presented in a report to the local traffic committee in March or April before it goes to the full council.
BIKEast representative Adrian Boss said the 1.4km shared path would be a vital section of the route connecting Vaucluse with Rushcutters Bay.
“We strongly support the provision of a shared path but request significant improvement to make it work for both cyclists and pedestrians,” Mr Boss said.
BIKEast has called on the council to improve the proposal by widening it in some parts to “meet expectations for a regional bike route”.
It its submission to council, it also suggested traffic lights for cyclists and local street crossings which give cyclists priority over vehicles entering and leaving New South Head Road.
It has also suggested slowing traffic down to encourage people to ride “who are presently too frightened to take up riding regularly or willing to let their children take up riding to school”.
Woollahra Council – Community Consultation – New South Head Road – Proposed Shared Path – Double Bay to Rose Bay
Woollahra Council, in partnership with Roads and Maritime Services (RMS), is seeking feedback from the community about a proposal to install a shared walking and cycling path on the northern side of New South Head Road between William Street, Double Bay and Norwich Road, Rose Bay.
The shared path would:
- provide a safe and efficient path of travel for both cyclists and pedestrians
- allow cyclists an alternate option to riding along New South Head Road, which has very high traffic volumes and where a number of serious crashes involving cyclists have recently occurred
The proposal involves works to widen the existing footpath, ranging in width from 2.5 to 4 metres, installation of signage and line marking and improved crossing facilities at side streets for path users.
Please note that should the community generally support this proposal and Council/RMS approval be gained, the construction of the path will then be subject to funding being made available by the NSW State Government and Council.
Concept plans could be viewed in person at Woollahra Council, 536 New South Head Road, Double Bay or online. The closing date for all submissions was Tuesday 7 February 2017.
